A cob-bobation of otw



Feb.. I?, 1925.

A. L. ROSENMUND LIQUID LEVEL INDICATOR AND METHOD Filed Aug. 5o, 1921 Patented Feb.. l?, i925'.

lalti PTEN? ALFED L. RQSENMUND. D? PATERSGN. NEW' JERSEY. ASSIGNOR T0 IEASTER MANU- ECTRING COMPANY. GF PATLBSON. NEW JERSEY, A CCBPORATIN F NEW cansar.

Application led August 30, 1921.

To o?? :li/iomz't may concern.'

Be it knovyn that I, itLrnno L. Rosi-:N- MUND, a citizen ot' Switzerland, and a resident of Paterson, in the county of Passaic and State of New Jersey, have made and invented certain new and `useful Improve-- ments in Liquid-Level Indicators and Met-hods, oi which the following is a specfication.

My invention relates lo a device for indicating the level of a liquid and more particularly to an apparat-us which may be secured to the crank case of an automobile engine and which upon the actuation of a suitable handle will indicate the height or level ot oil in the crank case.

it is extremely important in the operation ot the ordinaryautomobileengine that the oil in the crank case be maintained at a certain level. so that the hearings and entire engine ivill he properly lubr'cated. lt has heretofore heen proposed to provide means 'for ascertaining the level et the oil in the crank case hv means of a gauge glass, tio-at, and other devices, hut, diie to the severe. conditions under which these devices must operate, caused hy the jouncing and jolting or the car and the vihrationof the engine, it has heen tound that they are not reliahle "n their indications, and beingunreliable have not heen adopted to any oonsideialile extent.

lt is accordinely an object ot my invention to provide a device or apparatus for indicating the level of the oil in the crank case which will he positive in its action and will operate under. the most severe conditions and will atrio time give a false indi-v cation or reading,

i further object is to accomplish the attore-mentioned ends In a simple and expeditious manner7 the device en'ihodying but t'ev:l parte and so designed and arranged as to be economically manufacture-d and at the saine time. as previously mentioned. strong and rugged in structure so as to stand up under the severe service to which it will be necessarily exposed.

lilith the foregoing aud other chie-cts iu v`ea'.'in y invention consists in the improved oil level indicator illustrated in the accompanying' drawings and hereinafter described and claimed and in such variations and modifications thereof as ivill be obvious to Serial No. 496,857.

those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, it being understood that changes may be made Within the scope ot what is claimed Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Ifigure 1 is a v'tew in vertical section of my vimproved oil level indicator;

Figure 2 is a detail View of the dial and associated parts wherein the reading as to the level of the oil is taken;

Figure 3 is a. ragmental view in section showing the position ot the valves and plunrrer at the time the level or height et the oil is being indicated.

Referring speciiically to the several views, wherein similar reference numerals desgnate corresponding parts throughtmt.l my improved oil indicating device is formed with a base 10, projecting from which is a nozzle 11 which threads into and couununicates with the crank case The 'oase 1G is provided with the chamber which communicates with the port la; leading through the nozzle l1 and by means ot vhich the chamber 13 is in comuninication with the interior of the crank case 12.

Extending upwardly from the base is the barrel 15, the same being preferably threaded into the base atI its lower extremity lt and carrying the threaded cap-17 at its upper extremity. Slidably mounted ivithin the barrel 15 is the sleeve 1S. the bottom ei:- tremity 1S) of which is adapted to pass down into the chamber 13 of the and cover the oil port let so as 'to close the saine. The. upper extremity ot the sleeve valve is inwardly turned as zit-2O andvagainst which impinges the lower extremity of the compression spring Q1, the remote extremity of the spring impinging againstl the cap 17, so that the tendency of the spring is to nieve the sleeve valve into its lowered povsition and close the port 1t. which tendency however, is normally overcome hy a second and stronger spring, as will oe hereinafter explained.

A plunger or piston 22 is located in the sleeve 18 and is actuated by the piston rods preferably two in number, which extend through suitable openings 24e in the cap 17. ln this connectionl however, it is to loe noted that a single piston rod may he usedv Nhould it/he so desired. The plunger 22 is pro- Q I mesma vided with an air vent 25 extending therethrough, normally maintained in an open position so as to provide tor the escapement of air thru the plunger, but adapted to loe closed and prevent the. passage of oil therethrough b v a lloat valve member 26. The float valve member 2G is so designed that when the plunger reaches the surface oit the oil it will he carried iqnvardly1 and close the air vent 25.

l lever or walking beam 27 is connected to the piston rods b v the link 28 and is mounted ttor pivotal movementupon the trame member Q9. A tension spring' 30 is secured to the lever 2i" and to a portion of th(A trame '25) and is. adapted to hold the outer extremity ot the lever in a depressed position and the piston rods and plunger in an elevated positionzuljacent the top of the barrel 1.7. A flexible member or link 31. is connected to the outer and t'ree extremity of the lever 2T and is also connected to the dial indicator illust-rated in Figure 2. The lever li lo which the flexible member 31 is connected is carried by ashatt 33 to n'l'iich a pointer ill is secured and to which a handle 2li is also attached.

px'r//h'o/n-ll'ith the partsl as thus constructed and arranged, the tension spring() will maintain the plunger 22 in an elevated position and the plunger while beine' so elevated contacts against the inturned u'iper entr-emit;v 2t) ot the sleeve. valve 1S and` accordingly elevates the ,Canne7 overcoming the action of the compression spring 21 andrruncovering the oil inlet port l-i, so that oil may llow from the crank case 12 into the chamber 13 ot the base. and into the barrel 15 and sleeve 1S oit' the device. and in accordance with the well known laws of liquids will seek a level or height therein correspendingr to the height` or level of the oil in the cranh rasta llvhen the operator desires'to ascertain the height or level yot eil in the crank case. the handle is manually rotated in the direction of the arroiv. causing the raising' of the lever 32 and through the intervention of the flexible member 3l, a corresponding raising' ol the. lever 27. As the outer and tree extren'iity of the lever 2l' is rained, a corresponding depression or lowerinn'of the lii11f 'e1'i. -l effected. The initial lowering ol the plunger Q2 allovvs the spring 2l to 'function' and to lower the sleeve valve I1S and thus close the oil inlet and outlety por!v 14, .-'o that the oil Within the barrel is accordingly; trapped therein and prevented "l'rbin escapemei'it during the imlicatine,r ol the height ot' the saine. 'As the plunger is aioved downwardly the air above the top ot the `oil andpbelov.' the plunger readibv escapes through the air vent 2V, which vent remains open until the lloat valve Qtl reaches the top surface of the oil within the barrel, whereupon 'ienoves ul'iwardl r and closes, thus prevent-ing the oil from escaping thro-ugh the air vent. The plunger Will accordinglyl be arrested from further descentfby the oil. It will thus be apparent that the handle and thc pointer 3l may be moved or turned in accordance with the height ot the oil within the device, and Which amount will be an indication or direct reading of the height ot the oil within the crank case.

After the height of the oil as been thus positively indicated, the handle 135 is releaeed and will be returned to its original position thru the action of the spring 30, which will depress the outer and `tree extremity of the lever 2T and raise the plunger .As the plunger Q2 is raised above the surface olf the oil, the float valve Q6 will openallowing for the ingress of air and prevent-ing a vacuum being 'formed below the plunger. As the plunger approaches its uppermost position it contacts with the inturned end el' the valve sleeve 18 and elevates the same against the action ot' the spring Q1 and accordingly again opens the oil inlet 14, so that the level of the oil within the device may vary and follow the liuctuation ot the oil level within the crank caser.

From the foregoing it will beA apparent that. I have provided 4anapparatus 'for indieatingT the level of oil within the. crank case or in 'fact may be used for the indication ol the level of a liquid in a tank or other re- -ceptacle` and, further, that the apparatus is positive in its action, and, due to the incompressibility ot' ailiquid will always `rive a true i'ndi lation o't the height or level ot the same. ln order that the indicator may be -cleaned or drained a suitable valve 36 is prov-ided and connnunicates witlrthe lower extremity ot' the chamber 13.

llavinjj thus described and explained my invention. l claim and desire to secure by Letters vPatent l. A\ liquid level indicator con'lprisinn' a chamberi adapted to communicate with a receptacle containingy a liquid the level ol'` which is to be ,imlicated a plunger tilting' within said chamber. a valve normallyl maintained in an open position and adapted to be closed upon the lowering' ol said plun- 4a'er to prevent the escapo 'ol the liquid trom .said receptacle. there being' an airvent' communicating' with the spares above and below the plunger. means toi' closing' .said air vent against the pas-age ol" a liquid therethrough. thereby raifgf thi` upper .-turiace o'l the liquid within the chamber to arrest the descent ol tbl` plunger and means t'or visnall) indicating' thil liquid level.

Q. A liquid level indicator for a liquid containing receptacle comprising an upright cvlinder. a base member tor the c vlinder. having' a puff-'afgevand inlet: port. l'or establishingl eonnnunii-a? ion between the c vlinder and the liquid receptacle7 a sleeve slidllltl L'sees'fe ably mounted within said Cylinder, a plunger slivllily mounted within said sleeve, said sleeve i'ieing adapted to close the inlet port when in a lowered position, ine-uns 'toi' normally maintaining said plunger iii au elevated position. and means whereliy the plunger when elevated elevates theh said sleeve and uncovers said inlet port. means whereby on the lowering oi the plunger the said sieeve is lowered to close the inlet port of said eylii'ider2 there heine; a vent extenda ing through said plunger, a float valve associated therewith, allowing the passage oi air and preventing` the passage ol a liquid through said vent` and means adapted to he actuated forforcihly lowering said plunger to contact with the upper surface ot said liquid.

3. A. liquid level indicator for a liquid containing: receptacle comprising an upright cylinder. a hase member supporting the same9 having a passawe and inlet port for estahlishingir communication between the cylindex' and the liquid receptacle, a sleeve sl1d ably mounted within said cylinder, a plunslidably mounted within said sleevel` said sleeve being adapted to cover the inlet port ot' the said cylinder when in a lowered position7 means for normally maintaining said plunger in an elevated. position, means whereby the plunger when elevated elevates the said sleeve und uncovers said inlet port, means wher-shy on the lowering of the plunger the said sleeve is lowered to close the inlet port of said cylinder. there. heine' a vent extending' through said plunger, a iloat valve, assoeiated tlievcv-Jith7 allowing passage of air and preventing the passage ot a lliquid through said vent, means adapted to he actuated 'loi'eiloly lowering said plunger to coutaet. with the upper sur "ace of said liquid. and means t'oi' indie-ating:v at a distance the extentof depression oi the gilung'er and 'accordingly the height oi' of the-liquid within the cylinder.

4. Fin oil level indicator .comprising aliasehaving a chamber therein antL a port iidapted to communicate with a i'eeeptaele con tainineT a liquid the level of which is to he indicated, an upright evil-nde:- earried h v d hase and eomnfiunieatinfY with the chaml'ier thereof, a sleeve slideiely mounted in said cylinder and acting as a valve for said port, a plunger slidahlv mounted with in said-sleeve. a piston rod carried h v said plunger, a een' closing the upper extremity of said cylinder and slidalilv receiving the piston rod` therethrough.

means adapted to normally maintain said resilient and adapted to lower said sleeve and close `the port upon the depression ol said plunger. there living' a vent extending through said plunger. a tloat valve associated with Said veut7 allowing' the passage of air and preventingl tliexpassage ot' a liquid throufl'h said venti, tu thereby allow the plunger to lie depressed until contacting with and arrested hy the top surface oli the trapped liquid Within the cylinder.

An oil level indicator etiiiipiisiuey a hase havingr a chamber therein and a poi-t adapted to communicate with a receptacle containingv a liquid the level ot which is to he indicated. an upright cylinder carried by said hase and kcoiniiiuuieatinf r with Ithe chamber thereof. a sleeve slidably mounted in said Cylinder and actingr as a valve for said port, a plunger slidalily mounted withs in said sleeve, a piston rod carried by said plunger. a cap closing' the upper extremity of said cylinder and slidahly receiviiner the said piston vod therethrough, resilientl means adapted to normally maintain said plunger in an elevated position. co-acting means between said plunger and sleeve whereby saidsleeve is Imianally i'uaintaiued in an elevated position. and the port open when said plunger is in an elevated postion. resilient means engaging: said sleeve and adapted to lower said sleeve and close the port uplon the depression of said plunger.B there hein;- a veut evtending` throne-n said plunger. a float valve assoelated with said vent. allowing the passage of air and preventing' the passage of a liquid through said vent. to thereh;Y allow the 'plunger to be depressed until contactingY with and arrested lov the top surface ot the trapped liquid within the cylinder. and remote means connected with and adapted to depress said plunger and to indicate the amount oi depression ot' said plunger.

6. An oil level indicator comprisingT a hase having a ehamher therein and a port adapted to communicate with a receptacle containing a liquid the levell of which is to he indicated, an upright cylinder ca'ried hy said hase and communicating with the chamber thereof` a sleeve slidahly mounted in said cylinder and acting as a. valve for said port.` a plunger slidahlv mounted within said sleeve. a piston rod earried by said plunger, a cap closing the upper extremity of said cylinder and slidably receivingr the said piston rod therethrough, resilient means adapted Ato normally maintain said plunger in an elevated position, cti-actingy means between said plunger and sleeve tion7 resilient means engaging said sleeve' and adapted to lower said sleeve and close the port upon the depression of Sad plunger, there being a vent extending through said plunger, a float valve assocb ated with said vent. allowing the pass e ot air and preventing the passage ot a liquid through said veut. to thereby allow ilie plunger to be depressed until contacting with and arrested b v the lop siiil'ace ot thc trapped liquid within` the cylinder. and a dial having a calibrated scale thereon, a4 pointer associated with said dial. a handle associated with said pointer, and means associated with said handle and connected to said piston adapted to vforcibly depress the i'iliinger upon the, actuation .o'l the handle. and with the pointer adapted to indicatcon the dial the point at which the plunger is arrested and accordingly denote the height or level ot the liquid within the Cylinder and the height or level of the liquid within the receptacle with which the cylinder communicates.

7. ik mechanism toi' iiicasuiing liquids` iiicluding in combination a cl amber communicating with the body ot liquid to be measured in which the liquid assumes the same level as in the body of liquid. movable devices for cutting i oil" i'oiuuiuiiication Iietwcen the chamber and the body oi liquid,

while preserving the height oi liquid in the till chamber intact and for contracting the, volume ot' the chamber to that of the entrappcd liquid, and means tor permitting the escape ot air or gas from the chamber dui-ing said contraction.

'8. A mechanism for measuring liquids in cluding iny combination aA chamber cbmmunicating with the body ot liquid to be measured in which the liquid assumes the same level as in the body ot liquid. devices for cutting oit communication between the chamber and the body of liquid. while preserving' the height oi liquid in the chamber intact and for contracting the volume of the chamber to that of the entrapped liquid. means for permitting the escape of air or gas from the chamber dui-ing said contraction, and means tor indicating the resultant volume of the chamber and thereby ot the entrapped liqiiid..

9. A mechanism tor measuring liquids including in ci'iinbination a chamber communicating with the body ot. liquid to be measured in which the liquid assumes the same level as in the body of liquid. devices tor cutting oli' communication between the cliaiiilici' and the body ot liquid, while preserving the' lie-ight of liquid in the chamber intact aud for contracting the volume of the chamber to that ot the, entrapped liquid, means for permitting the escape of air or `Q'as trom the chamber during said contraction but without allowing the escape of the liquid. Y i

1t). A mechanism for measuring liquids including in combination a chamber communicating with the body of liquid to be measured in which the liquid assi'iines the same level as iii the body of liquid, devices for cutting oil' communication between the chalutier and the body oi`x liquid. while pifcserving the height ot liquid in the chamber intact, vertically movable means lor contracting the volume ot the cl'iaiiibei` to that ot the entrapped liquid. means toi' pei`- niittiiig the escape ot or ,las i'roiii the chamber during said contrai-tion, and means for indicating the quantity o t liquid within the chamber.

l1. A mechanism for measuring liquids including in combination a vertically cx? tending chamber coniiiiuiiicating with the body ot liquid to be measured in which the liquid assumes the saine level as in the bodjiv of liquid, devices for cutting oli communication between the chambe and the body ol liquid, while prescrving` the vlieigiii oi' liquid iu the chamber intact. vertically movable means 'for contracting the volume ot the chamber to that ot the ent-rapped liquid, means for visually indicating the movement ot said if'erticallv iiiovalile means and means tor permitting tluescape ot air or gas 'from I the chamber during` said (':ontraction and positively preventing the escape ot' liquid from the chamber.

-l2. A mechanism for measuring liquids including in combination a chamber comn inunieating with the body oi liquid to be measuredfin which the liquid assumes the same level as in the body ot liquid. devices for cutting oli cou'inuuiiiiation between tho chamber and the body ot liquid. while. preserving` the height ot-liquid in the chambei intact, means for contracting the volume of the chamber to that ot the eiiti'apped liquid, said means including a piston with a valve therein. tor permitting tlic escape ot air or gas from the chamber during said contraction.

13. A mechanism 'For measuring liquid including in combination a chamber communicatino' with the body of liquid to be meas* ured in `which the liquid assumes the same level. as in' the body of liquid, devices for cutting ott communication between the chamber and the body of liquid, while preserving the height ot liquid in the chamber intact and contracting the volume of the chamber to that of the entrapped liquid, Said devices includincr a piston with a liquid actuated. valve therein, said valve permitting the escape of air or gas 'from the chains ber during' said contraction.

lll.. A mechanism for measuring liquids including in coinbination u chamber com- `municating with the body ot liquid to be iiicasured in which the liquid assumes the lil() same level as in the body of liquid, devices,`

'ior cutting ottq coinniunication between the chamber and the body of liquld while preserving the height of liquid in the chamber intact and contracting the volume et the chamber to that el the entrapped liquid without changing the relative dimensions et the eutrapped` liquid. said devices yincluding a piston with a liquid actuated valve therein for permitting the escape of air or gas from the chamber during said contraction.

15. The method of determining the quantity liquid in a bod) which comprises* the steps ot' enti-tipping a part oi' thx. liquid, et equal height with that in the body, in a chamber, and contracting the size ot the chamber to that of the liquid, to determine the height of liquid in the body.

1G. The method of determining the quantity ot liquid in a body which comprises the steps of entrapping a part ot the liquid, of equal height with that in the body, in a chamber, and contracting the size of the chamber to that of the entrapped liquid Without changing the relative dimensionsl of' the body ot entrapped liquid. to determine the height oit liquid in the body.

17. The method of determining the quantity of liquid in a body which comprises the steps of entrapping a part of the liquid, ot' equal height with that in the body, in a chamber, and contracting the size of the chamber to that ot' the enirapped liquid, and simultaneously permitting the escape of air or gus from the chamber, to determine the height ot' liquid iu the body.

i8. The method ef determining the quan-- tity of liquid in a body which comprises the steps of eutiapping a part of the liquid, of

equal height with that iu the body, in a" chamber, and ,coiitracting the size of the chamber te that of theentrapped liquid Without changing the height oi the bod)1 of entrapped liquid, and siuuiltaueously permitting the escape o1c air or gas `from the chamber, to determine the height ot liquid in the body.

Signed at Paterson. iu the county of Passaic and State of New Jersey, this 25th day of August, A. D. 1921.`

ALFRED L, ROSENMUND. v litnesses z BENJAMIN K. 'VAN NORWICK. LUJAN STRAUMANN. 

